Alexandra Savior “Bad Disease” Alexandra Savior belongs to a long tradition of torch singers, but the sound and lyrical concerns of “Bad Disease” place her in the overlap of a Venn diagram of Portishead and Lana Del Rey. I know it can read like a backhanded compliment to say an artist sounds like two others, […]
Gatecrashing bar mitzvahs, quarantine quizzes and climbing Everest indoors – here’s a slew of things to do to stay connected without stepping outside
Lockdown could have seen us wallowing in some pretty unusual hermetic behaviour. Obsessively rearranging your groceries by best-before date. Binge-watching old episodes of Terry and June. Blankly staring at the forks in your cutlery drawer wondering why they have four prongs and not three.
Instead, the past few weeks have shown that being shut away could be making us more connected with each other. Thanks to strong internet networks and an array of digital apps and video communication software, we’re spending more quality time with loved ones, rehabilitating old relationships and forging new ones. Indeed, a recent study by Channel Mum found a quarter of British people now talk with neighbours they previously ignored. In short? Being confined to quarters is helping us rediscover a new sense of community.
Continue reading...Man, you can just feel the energy of the awk being channeled in this quick Twitter thread. Real or not, just picturing this girl trying to live tweet, and then live tweeting herself into an awkward situation, is gold in and of itself.
Ray normally runs his family bakery, Rinkoffs, but is currently staying at home with his wife.
On #CricketConnected, Star Sports’ new show the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) – Captain was a tie between MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma based on the jury's votes, but then the selection panel on the show picked Dhoni ahead of Rohit by the slimmest of margins.
Justifying the pick Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen said, “His relationship with Fleming the consistency at the franchise and the wicket they play on so it would be hard to go against MS and he will probably get my vote, I like what Rohit Sharma does and I love the Mumbai Indians and their approach to the game. However, for consistency and weight of expectation down there in Chennai MS is my guy.”
Former New Zealand fast bowler Danny Morrison added, “Looking at the vibe and the inspiration of that fellow (MS Dhoni) in yellow and what he did for India in blue and variably that helicopter shot which changes the course of the game, yes he is a lot older and finishing up Rohit got more time. But for me, Dhoni takes the pressure like no one else.”
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50 percent of people between the age of 60 to 69 years suffer from hypertension. This statistic only worsens as a person grows older reaching about 75 percent in those over the age of 70. In fact, the lifetime risk of developing hypertension is approximately 90 percent for men and women who were non-hypertensive at 55 or 65 years respectively – making hypertension a condition that requires our immediate attention.
While the condition affects one’s whole body, your heart is one organ that takes the worst beating. Dr Santosh Kumar Dora, Senior Cardiologist, Asian Heart Institute tells you how hypertension affects your heart and what you can do to deal with the condition.
How does hypertension affect your heart?
Eating right
Eating a heart-healthy diet is important for managing your blood pressure and reducing your risk of heart attack, heart disease, stroke and other diseases. Aim to eat a diet that's rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grain and high fibre foods, fat-free and low fat or 1 % dairy products etc. Avoid saturated and trans fats, excess salt and added sugar in your diet. DASH (Dietary approach to stop hypertension) diet pattern which contains low sodium, high potassium and rich in fruits and vegetables reduces by an average of 5.5 mm Hg for systolic and 3 mm Hg for diastolic blood pressure. For hypertensive patients, the reduction is 11.4 mm Hg for systolic and 5.5 for diastolic blood pressure. Low salt (< 1500 mg/day) further potentiates the reduction of blood pressure.
Maintain a healthy weight:
As your body weight increases, your blood pressure can rise. In fact, being overweight can make you more likely to develop high blood pressure than if you are at your desirable weight. You can reduce your risk of high blood pressure by losing weight. Even small amounts of weight loss can make a big difference in helping to prevent and treat high blood pressure. Studies conducted in obese hypertensive patients show a decrease in body weight by 1 kg resulted in a reduction of systolic and diastolic pressure by 1.2 and 1.0 mmHg, respectively.
Be physically active:
Physical activity not only helps control your blood pressure, it also helps you manage your weight, strengthen your heart and manage your stress level.
Even moderately intense physical activity, such as brisk walking, is beneficial when done regularly for a total of 30 minutes or longer at least 5 days a week. Hiking or stair-climbing, jogging, running, bicycling, swimming, fitness classes, team sports, dance classes are some of the activities which can help you stay fit. Studies say that regular dynamic physical exercise for at least 30 minutes daily for most days of a week leads to 5 to 9 mm Hg reduction of systolic blood pressure.
Say no to tobacco:
While smoking has not been conclusively proven to cause high blood pressure, each cigarette you smoke temporarily increases your blood pressure for many minutes after you finish. For your overall health and to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, avoid all forms of tobacco as well as secondhand smoke. A study has shown that smoking cessation leads to a reduction of systolic blood pressure by 3.5 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.9 mm Hg.
Avoid drinking:
Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure to unhealthy levels. Having more than three drinks in one sitting temporarily increases your blood pressure, but repeated binge drinking can lead to long-term increases. If you have high blood pressure, avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation.
Also read: World Hypertension Day: Why And How You Should Reduce Your Salt Intake
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Eating the right fruits, vegetables and spices can ensure you remain cool during the summer season, suggest experts. Chef Sudhir Nair, Executive Chef at Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott, Bengaluru and Chef Kasiviswanathan, the Executive Chef for Radisson Blu Atria, Bengaluru share some easy and interesting tips that will help your body cope with the heat:
1. Opt for a light breakfast: Eat and enjoy a light breakfast every morning comprising of fresh fruits and lots of liquids. Avoid citrus juices and instead opt for tender coconut or melon juice. Cucumber juice or salad would also be a great option. Try and cut down on a heavy breakfast to keep yourself cool and healthy during the summer months.
2. Avoid high starch food: During summer, it is good to avoid high starch foods, especially rice or wheat. Lunch should be the heaviest meal of the day in summers. Keep low on yoghurt consumption. Instead, increase the intake of buttermilk. Keep your food low on spices and high on liquid.
3. Keep yourself away from aerated drinks: Do not drink chilled water or aerated beverages. This is because chilled water or aerated beverages will disrupt the digestive process in the body. Keep a close watch on your sugar consumption. Ice creams though tempting in this time is rich in sugar and cream but an iced fruit lolly would be a legitimate indulgence.
4. Avoid spicy food: Avoid using spices such as mustard, ginger, and chilli. Also, eat less of tomato, peppers and garlic during summer.
5. Use herbs for cooking: Cook with cooling herbs such as fennel, dill, mint, and coriander. Allow use of spices like cumin, cinnamon, green cardamom in your food. Use vegetables such as white pumpkin, broccoli, snake gourds, drumstick and madras cucumber.
6. Boil, steam, and stew: Milk, coconut, butter and ghee in small proportions is cooling for the body. Best methods of cooking these foods would by boiling, steaming and stewing. It is best to avoid fried foods during summer as they would give undue stress to the digestive tract.
7. Enjoy small meals: Enjoying small meals throughout the day during summer is the smartest way to keep yourself cool during the season. Include fruits like ice apples, varieties of melons, sugarcane, and varieties of ripe mango, cashew apples and jackfruit in your diet. All of these are found in abundance in this season.
(Edited by mid-day online desk, with inputs from IANS)
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An unidentified female commuter had a close call after she slipped and almost fell off a moving Mumbai local train. The commuter was standing on the edge of the footboard inside a Mumbai local when she lost her balance and almost fell off the train. However, alert commuters who was standing close managed to grab her hands and pulled her back inside the train to save her life. The entire incident was captured on mobile by a fellow commuter.
A Government Railway Police (GRP) official said that they were investigating the footage to ascertain the identity of the location and the commuters.
Watch video here...
The video has become viral after it was circulated on the social media. In the footage, the girl is seen leaning out of the train and adjusting her earphones when she suddenly loses balance and was about to fall off the train before being pulled back inside by alert fellow commuters.
Also Read: Watch Video: Youth Performs Death-Defying Stunt On Mumbai Local Train
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Using warm water and shaving slowly can help you keep razor bumps at bay, say experts. Preeti Seth, Cosmetologist, Pachouli Wellness Clinic, and Prabhu Mishra, Senior Cosmetologist from SCI International Hospital, list some tips to keep in mind while shaving.
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Taking care of leather shoes in summer is not so cumbersome. Just keep them away from direct sunlight and water, say experts. Kanika Bhatia, Chief Experience Officer, Egoss, and Ambud Sharma, Founder, Escaro Royale Luxury (Escaro.in), tell how to maintain your leather shoes:
1. Keep them away from direct sunlight: Leather fades faster when exposed to sunlight. If it is kept out of direct sunlight, it will fade naturally over time. Sunlight can lead to drying and cracking. Ideal places to store leather footwear are darker places with some humidity, with slight ventilation to avoid formation of mildew.
2. Avoid keeping socks in shoes: Shoes wear off faster if socks are kept inside the shoes as they leave a pungent smell leading to bad odour that transpires into the socks worn with the shoes.
3. Don't store shoes in plastic/grocery bags: Leather shoes need some ventilation. Air should be able to pass through leather. For this, shoes should never be stored in plastic or grocery bags. Use bags made of breathable fabric and pillow cases to keep the shoes.
4. Do not wear the same pair daily: Leather shoes need time to dry up naturally as they have a tendency to soak water from your feet. Wearing the same pair everyday will not help the shoe to dry up leading to a faster wear down.
5. Use shoe tree: Keeping shoe tree in the shoe would enable it to maintain its shape, reduce creases and also to soak in excess moisture and odour.
6. Cleaning is important: Regular cleaning, polishing and conditioning play an important role in taking care of leather shoes. You should clean, polish and condition your leather pieces regularly with high quality cleaners and sprays to increase its lifespan. Always clean your leather shoes with a soft cloth before applying special shoe cream on the soft leather handcrafted products.
7. Stay away from water: Don't put water on your leather products especially hand-painted products.
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Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja
Bollywood's resident fashionista Sonam Kapoor got married to entrepreneur Anand Ahuja in a star-studded ceremony on May 8. The fairytale wedding was filled with glitz, glamour and romance, as one of the hottest couples tied the knot in front family and Bollywood's best.
The theme was "Indian festive shades of white". Celebrity hairstylist Asgar Saboo who is the go-to stylist for Sonam shows you a step-by- step guide on how you can get Kapoor's glamorous hair for you to steal the show!
Step 1
Begin by centre parting your hair, and dividing it into three separate parts. Do this by making two at the front and one, which will be to accommodate the large braid, at the back.
Step 2
Start with the left section of your hair by French braiding it and attaching more from the sides as you go along. Then loosen the braid before you move on to the right side by setting it aside. Repeat on the right.
Step 3
After braiding, tie elastic at the end of your hair to keep it in place. Take the front sections and tie them to the back.
Step 4
Then take the gajra you have chosen for your hair and place a bobby pin at the top. Wrap the gajra in a zigzag manner down the braid and as you come to the very end, secure it with an elastic band. Fancy trying out others? Then check out some of these simple easy-to- do styles to get the ideal locks!
View Photos: Sonam Kapoor-Anand Ahuja's wedding reception: SRK, Salman, Akshay attend the grand bash
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One of the major factors for any bouquet or flower to last longer is how it has been conditioned. Each flower has a different science to it so when your flowers first arrive at your door step, all they need is a bit of pruning and fresh water to perk up! Anuja Joshi, Marketing Director and creative face of Interflora India lists the reasons on keeping flowers fresh
1. Remove the flowers from the box and wrap the bouquet
2. Fill a vase 2/3rd with room-temperature water.
3. Empty the entire sachet of Interflora flower food that's provided and stir to mix.
4. Trim 1 to two inches of the stems at an angle using scissors or a sharp knife.
5. Place the bouquet into a vase, Tweak the arrangement as needed and watch your flowers perk up before your eyes!
How to change water in your flower arrangement:
1. Water wisely: Since flowers continue to drink water after they've been cut, it's important to keep fresh flowers in water always. Exposing the stem to air, even briefly, can cause the water-absorbing cells to shrivel which can shorten the life of your flowers.
2. Cut stems: Trim the flower stems at an angle before inserting in water. Cutting the stems at an angle prevents them from sitting flat at the bottom of the vase which can block the absorption of water. Re-trim the stems once every few days.
3. Prune daily: Look out for dead or loose leaves that may be submerged in water and remove them. Leaving them will cause bacterial rot which can shorten the life of your bouquet.
4. Avoid heat and drafts: Place your flowers in an area that's protected from excessive heat such as heat-generating appliances like heaters or ovens and direct sunlight
5. Important information: For those with allergies or sensitivities to flower fragrance, the best non-fragrant options are tropical flowers such as orchids, anthurium, birds of paradise or other tropical varieties
Tarun Joshi, Co-founder and CEO of IGP.com (Indian Gifting portal) also have some ideas to share
6. Unwrap the plastic/paper wrapping as soon as possible.
7. Avoid placing flower arrangements in windowsills and other areas with full sun where flowers can wilt due to overheating. Most flowers will last longer under cool conditions.
8. Keep your vase filled with water! All flower and foliage stems should be submerged. Flowers stay fresher, longer when they can get a drink!
9. If your flowers came in a basket or other container with foam, add fresh water every day.
10. Immediately remove dead or wilting leaves and stems from fresh flower arrangements.
11. Watch your water. When it gets cloudy it's time to change it out.
How to change the water in your flower arrangement
1. First remove any dead or dying flowers from the arrangement.
2. After carefully removing the good flowers, clean the vase thoroughly with soapy water to remove any bacteria that could cause the fresh flowers to deteriorate even quicker. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
3. Replace the water and mix in the flower preservative provided by your florist, according to the instructions on the packet.
4. For best results, cut stems with a sharp knife at an angle about one to two inches from the bottom. This allows them to better absorb water. Do not use scissors to cut your flowers because they can crush the stems and prevent water absorption.
5. Place loose stems or wrapped bouquets of fresh flowers in your water mixture as soon as possible.
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Sonam Kapoor in a bulky sweater over a dainty dress by Prabal Gurung. Pic/AFP
Style book
* Don't pick a jumper that is too thick as it might make you look bulky and uncool.
* Embrace anti-fit. It goes with all body types. Too tight a sweater dress and you might look like Kim Kardashian from her non-fashionista years.
* Belt a sweater dress if you want to look sleek but skip if you are top heavy.
Pick a pleated skirt (metallic for your evening out) to pair with a long or a short jumper, at seen on Christian Dior's show
* Pair a cropped jumper with wide-legged pants that are cut above the ankle. You can even wear cropped jeans and pair them with embellished flip flops or pool slides for a relaxed day look.
* Contrast is the key — wear an oversized sweater over a pleated or a lace skirt. You can also wear it over a dainty dress.
* For your evening out, wear a metallic or sparkly sweater with a pair of strappy heels. If the temperature drops, add a pair of colourful stockings or above-the-knee preppy socks.
Take a cue from Tommy Hilfiger and wear a glittery jumper as a dress, with stockings or long socks. Pic/Getty images
* To go from baggy to sexy, add a lace peek-out bralet.
* A sweater layered over a buttoned down shirt is a classic pairing; take it to the next level by wearing it over a shirt dress instead. You can wear it with stockings or even ankle length boots. Add a sling bag or a neckpiece to make the look bohemian.
* Wear a chunky neckpiece over a solid coloured jumper and jeans for a hip day look.
Inputs by stylists Shaleena Nathani and Neha Tham
Winter is all about wearability and comfort, but don't make it an excuse to let go of the style quotient. Break away from conventional silhouettes and experiment with versatile trends like embroidered capes or structured peplums to beat the chill, say fashion gurus.Ace fashion designer Manish Malhotra, who has dressed up beauties likes Kajol, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Rani Mukerji, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Preity Zinta, feels one should stick to layering, but incorporate vintage hues. "Winter is all about comfort in style as we break away from conventional silhouettes and experiment with versatile trends that cater to a young global audience. As we mark the beginning of festivities in India, my latest collection spotlights layering as the key highlight of the season; I love layering as a trend and I always incorporate it even in my personal style," Malhotra told IANS.
"Crafted in vintage hues of chrome, ivory, oyster grey and rose, organza capes, trench jackets, and silken kimonos draped over tea-length dresses and layered skirts add an innovative twist to the young, glamourous women. For the modern gentleman, cowl-necked kurta-shirts with embroidered dinner jackets and velvet drapes help accentuate European accent to the classic ensemble," he added. Designer duo Ankur and Priyanka Modi, who established their brand AM:PM 15 years ago, believe in modern simplicity. "Winter is all about wearability, comfort and style and this season we break the monotony of traditional influences to introduce bold, power silhouettes as the versatile trend to adapt. Crafted in luxurious fabrics of velvet and silk, jackets, long or short, add an understated glamour to a classic silhouette," they shared a joint view with IANS.
Pointing out the trends to go for, they said: "Be it the embroidered capes or structured peplums, each garment can be effortlessly paired across any occasion and are thus, our staple must-have choice for the season." A lot of people associate winter with black and grey. But try hues like pomegranate red and aubergine, says Deepshikha Khanna, Head of Product Development (Apparel) for Sustain, Good Earth, India. "At Good Earth, our design philosophy revolves around translating simple everyday luxury for fashion lovers across the globe. With the festivities ushering in, our Sustain range highlights fusion wear as the emerging trend for the winter season," Deepshikha said. "Breezy kurtas worn with palazzos and printed scarves make an ideal choice for a casual day brunch while embroidered shararas and angrakhas crafted in deep, winter hues of pomegranate red, aubergine and charcoal is perfect for an evening outing. Indigenous fabrics of chanderi, silk, velvet and brocade flaunt versatility and comfort and can be styled effortlessly from day to night across various occasions."
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Style
<< Mantra: Always meet a trend half way.
Sonam Kapoor Pic/instagram
<< Pairing one holographic piece with another classic separate strikes the perfect balance without going overboard into categorical tacky.
<< For workwear, it's best to use this trend in accessories. A classic structured iridescent bag or clutch keeps things work-friendly yet on trend.
Wenda Nylon Rhea Kapoor, Pic/AFP
<< For a lunch date, pair a girly pleated metallic skirt with a classic white shirt and tie the shirt at the waist to give it more character.
<< For a night out, use this trend on boots. Pair a slip dress with statement metallic or crystal-studded boots.
Gucci Pic/Getty images
<< For those wary of too much metallic or just wanting to dress down, layer a metallic tank or tee with a chambray shirt and your fave pair of blue denims. Add a neaker of your choice.
- Tips from celebrity stylist
Devki Bhatt
Visible panty lines and camel toes are big fashion faux pas and can ruin even the most perfect outfit. Do not buy tight underwear, and hide bulging belly fat with high waist panties, suggest experts.
Smita Murarka, Head - Marketing and E-commerce at MAS Brands India (amanté and ULTIMO), and Neha Kant, Founder of Clovia, have listed a few ideas:
Also watch
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If you are someone who is struggling to get your plus size clothing right and be fashionable than try wearing statement jewellery and opt for empire line dresses, suggest experts.
Ritika Taneja, Senior Director-Categories at ShopClues lists some tips to style up your plus size clothing.
1. Wear statement jewellery: Highlight your strengths and hide your flaws, by taking the attention away. Wear statement jewellery like a choker neckpiece with your outfits. It will make you look effortlessly stylish.
2. Make black your best friend: Fall in love with darker shades and ditch the pastel shades, as best is the black shade. Black-hued clothes will add a glam, style and of course make you slimmer.
3. Wear shapewear: Invest in a good quality tummy tucker. It will flatten your body and elegantly accentuate the curves.
4. Empire Line dress will look flattering: Be it western or ethnic wear, choose tops, kurta designed in an empire line way. It will put your flaws out of sight and highlight your strengths.
Natascha Tate, in-house stylist at LimeRoad too has some inputs to share.
5. Brace yourself for the sheer and summery bodysuits: Pick plunging neck numbers to make sure you give your figure the accentuation it deserves. Pair them up with a rugged blue denim and classic white sneakers to take on the streets in style.
6. Look out for metallic shift dresses: Look out for dresses that are all set to spruce up your sundown scenes this season. They're high on shine and high on style, plus, the shift silhouette falls perfectly along your vivacious waistline. Make sure you have a stock of those good ol' party pumps to go with these.
Tanvi Malik, Co-founder of FabAlley doles out tips to look glamorous in plus size clothing
7. Asymmetrical stripes: Stripes have received a bad name in the past, but these days brands and designers have figured out how to use stripes' optical illusion power for good. Asymmetrical stripes make curvy women look more svelte and taller. Just look for stripes that angle inward towards your waistline, for a flattering silhouette.
8. Monochrome dressing: A monochromatic outfit can create wonders with a linear, long, continued line which is universally flattering. Just ensure that you pick a color that complements your skin-tone and add a colorful accessory to your outfit to keep the look from being boring.
The next swimming world championships, scheduled for summer 2021 in Japan, have been pushed back until May 2022 following the postponement of the Olympic Games, the sport's governing body said Monday. The world championships were due to be held in Fukuoka next year from July 16-August 1 but will instead take place from May 13-29 in 2022, the international swimming federation (FINA) said in a statement.
The 2020 Olympic Games were delayed by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will now run from July 23-August 8 in 2021. "After liaising with the relevant stakeholders and receiving feedback from them, we have no doubt that the decision taken will provide the best possible conditions for all participants at the championships," said FINA president Julio Maglione. "At a time of unprecedented uncertainty, FINA hopes the announcement of these dates will allow for some clarity in planning for all concerned." The world aquatics championships also feature diving, open water swimming, synchronised swimming and water polo.
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The lockdown has been creating a lot of problems for the Bollywood celebrities over the last few weeks. It was reported how Sana Saeed couldn't fly back to India from Los Angeles due to being locked down when her father passed away. And now, Gold actress Mouni Roy's mother slipped in the bathroom and hurt herself, and she couldn't fly back to India either since she was locked down in Dubai. This was reported by SpotboyE.
A source stated, "It happened after the lockdown was announced." Mouni and her sister, both are quarantining in Dubai and are constantly in touch with their mom. But they have all the right and reasons to be worried and tensed since the lockdown has been extended till May 3.
And as far as Roy is concerned, she has been trying out different things during this lockdown. From watering plants to reading books to even trying her hands in singing, she has done it all and can be doing a lot of other stuff in the future too. On the work front, she was last seen in Made In China and will now be seen as the antagonist in Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra, which has a stellar cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Dimple Kapadia, Nagarjuna, Ranbir Kapoor, and Alia Bhatt. The first part of the film will release on December 4 this year.
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Women prefer casual sex as well
If you thought men are more likely to accept a sexual invitation from a stranger than women are, you are probably wrong. A team of German researchers has revealed that the rates of interest in casual sex are exactly the same for men and women. A recent study conducted at a university in Mainz, Germany, revealed that when societal judgement and safety risks are removed, women are more likely to accept sex propositions from strangers.
Women crave more sex as they get older
A recent survey conducted by an American marketing firm, which included more than 1000 women aged 18 and above has debunked the theory that women are not interested in sex as they get older. The survey found that 89 percent of women in the age group 45 to 55 are the most experimental. Twenty-eight percent women said they had sex between two and seven times a week.
Menopause is not the end
Researchers at a London college have found that menopause doesn't kill-off a woman's sex drive as it is usually believed. They studied four years' worth of answers that women provided about their sexual health both before and after menopause. The rate of sexual dysfunction over the four-year study period was about the same -- 22 percent to 23 percent -- for both pre and post-menopausal women, which suggested that menopause isn't as important a contributor to sexual issues as once thought.
Straight women have same-sex fantasies too
A recent study on the sexual behaviour and preferences of women conducted at an American university found 60 percent of heterosexual women admitted to being attracted to other women, while 45 percent had kissed another woman. Fifty percent of those participants also reported same-sex sexual fantasies. The findings showed that straight women, not just lesbians, ogle at beautiful women.
Women don't 'strike first' when it comes to online dating
In the online dating world, women do not like to send personal messages to initiate contact and later mating and would rather send "weak signals" than making the first move. While studying dating behaviour of women on the internet, researchers found that users with anonymous browsing viewed more profiles. They were also more likely to check out potential same-sex and interracial matches. Surprisingly, however, users who browsed anonymously also wound up with fewer matches than their non-anonymous counterparts. This was especially true for female users: those with anonymous browsing wound up with an average of 14 percent fewer matches.
Pics for representational purposes
A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology revealed that problems in the bedroom might or might not spell doom in a long-term relationship, as it entirely depends on what a couple believes.
The researcher analysed sexual belief systems of 1,900 individuals and discovered that people fall into two sections when it comes to their sexual beliefs. There is one group that believes strongly in ‘sexual destiny’ and feels that sex should be all about sparks and twisted bedsheets devoid of nurture. There is another group that nurtures the relationship and believes more strongly in sexual growth. They also develop different ‘sexpectations’ at the same time. The later group treats sex as a tree that requires appropriate care and a patch of bad sex between a lovey-dovey couple can be fixed with little patience.
Sexual destiny is a word which implies that sex will happen with time. On the other hand, growth belief is something that considers the relationship as a plant that requires water, nurture and care. Those who believe in growth belief are seen to put in time and effort to make their sexual lives work. Sexual growth believers move with the flow of passion in their relationship and do not think that their relationship is doomed. They rather try to make things work out and do such acts that can boost their sexual relationship.
Representational image
The research also found out that if one partner is high on sex growth beliefs, both the partners benefit from this. Whether one can have a great relationship if things are falling apart in their bedroom, also vary from group to group. Those in the destiny belief gang, are in the worst condition in this case. However, when sexual destiny believers see that their sex life is not going well, they consider their relationship to be not ‘okay’.
The researcher concluded saying that there is a honeymoon phase of around 2-3 years where sexual satisfaction is high amongst both the groups. The benefit of believing in sexual growth becomes clear after this initial phase.
All images for Representational purposes
The thought of regular sex varies from person to person. While for some regular sex is a fun and 'must-have' act, for others it is like a deal beyond imagination. Finally, there is another set of people, who do not consider regular sex as a mandate to a happy relationship. The cosy moments, the mild touches, the gentle bites, the smooch, the eye contact, the silence, the cuddles, and finally the sexual climax make a relationship healthy and strong. Some may be content with their sex life, while others may experience dissatisfaction. Those who are still looking for the ideal ways to reach sexual nirvana and have a successful climax, these six steps may be of great help to them. Take a look:
1. Take a shower together: Sex can happen anywhere in the house and a bed need not be the supporting agent every time. If possible, lock yourselves up in the bathroom and stand below the shower. Come out of the comfort zone and the cliched dark bedroom scenario. For a change, let the shower cubicle do the wonders. Try to grab each other tightly while you get drenched. Go ahead with those touches and kisses that you would have otherwise done in the bedroom. In case you get a chance to bath together in a bathtub, grab it right away.
2. Engage in dirty talks: Initially you might hesitate to open up to your partners, but with time opening up to the opposite sex can bring a u-turn to your sexual life. It’s not only those silent acts and foreplay that can help attain sexual nirvana, but also dirty talks and naughty touches can lead to sexual proximity. Be it the man or woman; none should hesitate to utter some flirty speeches to attain sexual satisfaction.
3. Keep the sensual touches alive: No one can deny the fact that sensual touches can gradually lead to a heavenly climax. Arouse your partner with a body massage. Women respond well to sensual touches and therefore attain greater orgasm. They can even touch their man from top to bottom to arouse him and gradually move towards a successful end together.
4. Try different sex positions: If you get bored of one particular position, try different positions like crisscross, 69 and BDSM. Trying a new position for the first time may be a bit difficult, but gradually the experiments can definitely work out. Pay heed to your intuitions and crave for something new every day.
5. Wear appealing nightwear: Men love to see their women in revealing and appealing clothes. Thin-strapped night wears, lacy lingerie, satin gowns or short hot pants can raise the room temperature and arouse the man at the same time. Women can even go for the man’s favourite colour lingerie.
6. Smell good and let the room smell good too: Use floral. fruity or chocolate scented body mists to raise the mood of the man and vice-versa. Try to apply body lotions and face creams that have pleasant fruity aromas. Along with that, the room should also smell good and fresh. Use lavender or rose scented room fresheners to create a romantic environment and set the mood for sex. Women can also opt for a good vaginal wash to maintain hygiene and freshness.
Fasten your seat belts and be ready to turn lust into reality. Sexual nirvana not only brings happiness or fulfils one's physical lust, but also is the core ingredient to a happy and successful relationship. After all, a small act can bring a big blow!
London: With cafes and fancy restaurants full of couples trying to squeeze in a date on Valentine's Day, celebrating at home might can turn out to be a very smart decision.
Helen Leigh-Jones, designer at furniture brand DFS, shares some tips on how to spruce up your place for an amazing romantic dinner, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
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>> Lighting is very important for an evening like this. Candles are perfect on Valentine's Day as they create the perfect soft, warm, romantic glow. Fairy lights are a lovely way of setting the mood as well.
>> Flowers are always welcome on Valentine's Day. It is important to choose fresh rose petals to scatter around your home or place a few small arrangements throughout the house.
>> Making a comfortable love seat will also help. Make sure you have a throw, a box of chocolates and some wine within arm's length so you don't have to move from each other's arms all evening.
>> Turn off all modern technologies like the phone and the television.
>> Change the place of dining. A rug on the living room floor will be nice for a romantic picnic.
- With inputs from agencies
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Weekly sexual activity - Key to healthy relationship: A recent study conducted in Canada has found that couples are at their happiest when they hop into bed just once a week.
It is based on surveys of more than 30,000 people collected over four decades, is the first to find that association is not there after couples report having sex more than once a week on average.
These findings were specific to people in romantic relationships and in fact, there was no association between sexual frequency and wellbeing for single people and do not necessarily mean that couples should engage in more or less sex to reach the weekly average, but partners should discuss whether their sexual needs are being met.
Frequent action between the sheets leads to positivity: The more often couples have sex, the more strongly they associate their partners with positive attributes, a study conducted by an American university has found.
In the study, 216 newlyweds completed survey-style measures of relationship satisfaction. Estimates of sexual frequency were correlated with participants' automatic attitudes about their partners. That is, the more often couples had sex, the more strongly they associated their partners with positive attributes.
Sex gets passionate after childbirth: Resuming sex with your partner after childbirth may be a matter of two months on an average but when passion does return to the bedroom again, it comes with a new vigour, enabling couples to enjoy the act of lovemaking more, new research suggests.
A study of 1,118 couples with children showed that 94 percent said they were satisfied with their sex lives and nearly 60 percent said that it actually got better after childbirth. The research, however, showed that men are more keen to have sex after the wait than women. While fathers want sex twice a week on average, mothers remain content with sex just once a week.
Sex twice an hour can skyrocket male fertility! Having sex twice in an hour can make men three times more fertile, a new study done at a London hospital suggests.
The researchers found that when a man provided a second sperm sample within an hour, the success rate for an infertility treatment called intrauterine insemination (IUI) shot up to an incredible 20 percent. The typical success rate for IUI is six percent. Scientists believe the finding could also help couples trying to conceive naturally.
In the study, when doctors used the second sperm sample provided by men within an hour, 15 of the women involved in the IUI study became pregnant immediately. Ten of the other women became pregnant the second time they tried insemination using the second sperm sample provided by the male within an hour.
Sex really can make you happy: According to fascinating research by Canadian researchers, the action between the sheets once a week is enough to reignite and keep the passion and love alive between the two souls.
Although more frequent sex is associated with greater happiness, this link was no longer significant at a frequency of more than once a week, the team revealed. Sex may be more strongly associated with happiness than is money. The team came to this conclusion after an online survey with 335 people (138 men, 197 women) who were in long-term relationships.
Frequent sex can flush out kidney stones: Suffering from kidney stones? Well, stop gulping down beer after beer or other drinks to pass it out and prepare yourself for better action between the sheets tonight. According to a significant research from a reputed hospital and medical centre in Ankara, Turkey, having sex at least three to four times a week can help ease the spontaneous passage of kidney stones.
To reach this conclusion, the team split 75 participants into three groups. The first group was asked to have sex at least three to four times per week. The second group was administered tamsulosin (a drug commonly used to improve urination in men with enlarged prostate) and a third group received the standard medical treatment for kidney stones. Two weeks later, the researchers found that 26 of the 31 participants from the sex group were able to pass their kidney stones. Meanwhile, only 10 of the 21 participants from the tamsulosin group and eight of the 23 participants from the standard medical treatment group successfully passed their stones.
Indian urologists have however expressed their doubts at the findings. While they agree that probably the release of a key compound that is an integral part of sex and heart health can help pass small stones, they cannot yet tell their patients to go have sex to get rid of kidney stones.
Sleep in the buff: Sex experts say the sleeping nude can be tremendously beneficial for the female libido. So ladies, strip-off before you sleep next time.
Use sex toys: The key to healthy sexual appetite is foreplay. So, women can prolong sexual pleasure by using sex toys such as dildos or vibrators or furry handcuffs. The kinkiness factor is a must.
Sexting: Sending your partner sexually-explicit and outrageously dirty texts can steam-up things in the bedroom. So girls take note! Sext your guy to rock his world.
Watch erotic films: Movie night at home with your hubby or boyfriend? Then watch erotic-themed or sexually suggestive films like The Last Seduction, Betty Blue, Secretary, Sex and Lucia and others. Guaranteed to get things cracking under the sheets.
Tuck in early; no gadgets in bed: Turning off your laptops, television or simply avoiding smartphone-use in bed is a great way to boost intimacy between the sheets.
Social networking is a major cause
Sites like Facebook are cited as a reason for a third of broken marriages last year and is increasingly being used as a source of evidence in divorce cases.
A law firm said that 33% of the 5,000 behaviour based divorce petitions filed with the firm in the past year mentioned the site.
“People contact ex-partners and the messages start as innocent, but lead to trouble
“If someone wants to have an affair or flirt with the opposite sex then it’s the easiest place to do it,” said the law firm's managing director.
The most common reasons for Facebook causing problems in relationships were a spouse finding flirty messages, photos of their partner at a party they did not know about or with someone they should not have been with.
More seniors are boarding the train to 'Splitsville'
Now, the current society witnessing a surge in divorce rates of among those beyond the age of 60, as, on reaching retirement many realise that they can no longer stand their husband or wife.
One reason behind the boom in “silver separation” is that some pensioners discover they have nothing in common with each other once their children fly the nest.
“They are not “old”! They can do many or most of the things that they could do in their earlier years, going on great holidays in the Himalayas, trekking through Borneo, visiting far-flung wild destinations or suddenly taking up sports that they never had a chance to try when they were younger.
“The baby boomers are redefining life at older ages. That includes re-evaluating their relationships and deciding to start again,” says the director general of a senior citizen's group.
Most couples split over frivolous reasons. Here's an example
Recently a Taiwanese couple were married only for one hour, until the husband dithered over his wife’s request for a new car.
The woman had brought him to a car dealer soon after registering their marriage, as she wanted her husband to buy an imported car for her.
But when he said he would consider it, she immediately snapped.
“Divorce me if you do not want to buy!” she was quoted as saying.
They then went back to the registration department to file for a divorce.
Divorce even if amicable ‘can affect kids’
A divorce can never be good for children no matter how amicable it is, a study has revealed.
Researchers from an American university analysed almost 1,000 families and found that children suffer when their parents’ marriage ends – no matter how amicable the split is.
The research team began by comparing the welfare of children whose parents had divorced with those whose marriages were strong. Those from broken homes scored more poorly.
They then compared children from 944 families from around the US, which had been through a divorce or, the end of a long-term relationship. The families were divided into three groups.
Co-operative parents shared childcare, still got on well with each other and rarely fought – fitting the criteria of a ‘good divorce’.
Parallel parents shared childcare but rarely spoke to each other. The third group was described as single parent families because the absent parent had little or no contact with their child.
The parents were interviewed while the children were teenagers and the children interviewed when they became adults.
All three groups gave similar answers, debunking the idea of it being possible to have a good divorce.
How was your day at work, honey?
Couples who compete with each other over who has had the worse day or bombard the family with their workplace problems may be on the road to divorce, experts have warned.
According to researchers, with both husbands and wives working outside the home, coping with daily office stress can take its toll on the marriage unless the couple is willing to support each other.
“When stress enters any relationship, it has the potential to either bind people together or break them apart.
“Findings strongly confirm this with respect to job tension. What also became obvious was the critical role of communication and trust among spouses; without them, you have a foundation best described as crumbling, even in the best of circumstances,” says a researcher.
Courting lovers by sending flowers is a thing of the past, for teens and adults nowadays. They have found a rather 'sexy' way to lure the object of their affection -- 'sexting' i.e. sending nude or semi-nude selfies of oneself to a boyfriend, girlfriend, crush or casual acquaintance from smartphones. This is also termed by some researchers as a 'sexual selfie'.
We look at factors that have led to this fast-emerging trend...
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'Sext messages' and 'sexual selfies' popular with most adults
A recent survey revealed that, almost half of all adults - or 47 per cent - send sexy text messages or selfies to their partners. And one in nine people ‘sexts’ their partner every day, a new survey has found.
But the poll of 2,000 adults conducted by mobile phone experts found that one in 10 have mistakenly texted an inappropriate message to a friend or family member.
The poll also found almost one in five phone users are risking their relationship by secretly sexting people other than their partner.
Girls as young as 14 send sexy texts and selfies!
A new study has shed light on how an increasing number of girls in their early teens are resorting to sexting and sending explicit selfies to their boyfriends.
The study of 14 to 15-year-old girls revealed that four out of 10 did not find anything wrong in taking a topless selfie.
And one in six underage girls did not see anything inappropriate about posing fully nude for others.
Celeb nude photo scandals a major reason
Embarrassing and cautionary tales of celebrities caught in sexting and nude photo scandals are not dissuading the general public from such irrational behaviour, a new report has revealed.
According to the report, 43 percent of respondents to an Internet survey of 1,500 women between the ages of 18-40 admitted to sexting, which is the sending of sexually explicit text or email messages.
Given that so many stars like Scarlett Johansson, Jennifer Lawrence, Blake Lively, Vanessa Hudgens, Miley Cyrus, Lily Allen, Khloe Kardashian and many others have been involved in sexting scandals in recent times, have those stars made it seem okay to be sending nude photos and sexually explicit messages?
'Sexting' termed worst technology jargon!
The term ‘sexting’ has been chosen as the most irritating phrase to enter lexicons in recent years. However, selfie as a term has been appreciated and even included in day-to-day conversation.
A UK tech magazine, which conducted the poll, a few years ago, awarded ‘sexting’ its ‘Unspeakable Award’ for the worst new piece of technology jargon.
Sexting teens are not offenders
According to experts, to consider labeling a teen a sex offender because of a sexting incident -- a label that will stick for life -- defies common sense.
A Canadian researcher presented a paper on children's sexuality, defending the practice as a modern variation on "playing doctor or spin-the-bottle."
The expert argued that such online activities are safer than traditional sexual games because there is no immediate physical contact and thus are less likely to lead to pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
It's not the same as face-to-face sexual relationships
The way people get involved in and develop sexual relationships with others has changed dramatically over the last 20 years due to the increased availability of devices such as computers, video cams and cell phones.
But at the end of the day there is no substitute for physical, face-to-face contact in our sexual relationships, according to a new study.
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Sugar Daddy Syndrome, commonly termed as 'attraction to older men', something young women go through has been studied extensively by relationship experts...
Father figure
Older men have a mentor-like feel about them, something that women fall for instantly. Freud says it comes out of the fact that subconsciously, they find them fatherly, and for a young woman, her father is the ultimate epitome of manlihood.
Smooth operators
Older men may not be as wild as young ones, but they surely know the tricks of the trade. They know how to flatter with poetry and pun, make every stroke a master's, and charm like a gentleman things where little lads often fail.
Ready and able
Older men have had decades to work on their act, and are ready to take the plunge.
Full of surprises
Elderly men were more likely to surprise women with flowers and chocolates, as compared to men half their age.
Mr. Moneybags
Older men are financially stable, so, they can afford to shower their partners with gifts.
The romance factor
Consultant psychiatrist YA Matcheswalla says that while there is no age limit for romance, agrees that for men in their fifties, romance depends on the overall quality of the relationship. "Younger men tend to be more self-absorbed and egotistical. They can also be more insecure. But after a certain age, they tend to make more of an effort," says Matcheswalla.
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Women rule the dating game in India: A nationwide research undertaken by a dating app recently has revealed that a whopping 46 percent of women respondents said they are happy to take the lead in planning a date, while the corresponding number for men stood at 62 percent.
The research also suggests that even as gender roles are interchanging; more than 53 percent of the female respondents were willing to choose a fulfilling relationship over a career. Also, 48 percent women said they prefer brains over brawn, while 52 percent men prefer success over good looks. About 47 percent men and 48 percent women respondents said they are open to sharing their Facebook password with their partners.
India's youths seeking love online: Thanks to an increasing range of dating apps, majority of Indian youths are looking for love online, revealed a recent study conducted in Delhi. Experts say that the mammoth surge in the user base of these apps is being fuelled by youth's "changing narrative, thinking and preferences".
Did you watch the match yesterday? When it comes to first dates, individuals who meet each other through a match-making process in India discuss a lot of sports after the conversations on family, a survey has revealed.
The survey found that 21 percent Indian men talk about sports during their first date with a prospective match after family, which still dominates the conversation. As per the study, 14 percent of women love to talk about sports during their first meeting. The surveyors also found that for women, family still comes the first with 70 percent of them talking about it on their first meeting, only 44 percent men discuss the topic.
Indian men want women to pop the question: Traditionally, it's the guys who pop the question to take a relationship forward but an increasing number of Indian men now prefer if women make the first move, according to a recent survey conducted by a popular matrimonial website. 6,500 single Indian men in the age group of 25 to 36 across the country were studied as part of the survey.
As many as 71.7 percent respondents shared that they would like it if a woman proposed to them instead. As many as 63.8 percent of the men surveyed were of the opinion that the country's modern day women are confident enough to make the first move towards a relationship, while 36.2 percent of them said that it's hard for them to believe that a woman can make the first move because tradition has always seen men do so.
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New York: Far from giving your sex life a leg-up, watching porn may lead to reduced happiness in relationships -- both sexually and generally, suggests new research.
For the study, Paul Wright from Indiana University in Bloomington and colleagues analysed the findings of 50 studies collectively including more than 50,000 participants from 10 countries.
"Pornography consumption was associated with lower interpersonal satisfaction outcomes," the researchers found.
The study, published in the journal Human Communication Research, however, found that porn viewing hardly affects relationship satisfaction in women.
"Associations between pornography consumption and reduced interpersonal satisfaction outcomes were not moderated by their year of release or their publication status. But analyses by sex indicted significant results for men only," the study said.
Male participants' porn-watching was associated with lesser happiness in their relationships -- both sexually and generally, Vocativ.com reported.
The researchers also reviewed studies looking at porn viewing and sexual self-esteem and body confidence, but they found no link.
The finding could come as a surprise for those who argue that pornography leads to unrealistic and unhealthy beauty standards.
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London: Does a one-night stand or romping without any commitment or emotional involvement sound interesting to you? If yes, please beware. Researchers have found that a liking for casual sex may land you in trouble.
The researchers found that a person's preference for casual sex may actually increase their risk of being harassed.
Also, adolescents who have been sexually harassed are more strongly inclined to have casual sex than others, the findings showed.
The results might give the impression that it is the victim's fault for being harassed, but the researchers said their findings were not intended to "blame the victim".
"Absolutely not! We're trying to understand the psychological mechanisms that underlie harassment," said Mons Bendixen, Associate Professor at Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim, Norway.
It might be that a preference for casual sex results in more sexual solicitations in general, including undesirable ones.
The study, published in the journal Evolution and Human Behavior, also showed that adolescents who sexually harass others have had casual sex more often than those who do not harass others.
They also fantasise more about casual sex and find it more acceptable to have sex without any commitment or emotional closeness.
The study included 1,326 heterosexual girls and boys with an average age of nearly 18 years. The psychologists only looked at non-physical forms of sexual harassment.
Fully 60 per cent of the girls and boys in the survey reported that they had been sexually harassed in the last year.
Around 30 per cent of the girls and 45 per cent of the boys admitted that they had sexually harassed someone one or more times.
Life has turned mechanical for many of us. Long working hours, frequent official tours, bringing work home from office, and less scope for togetherness- are some factors that let our personal lives take a back seat. Also, falling prey to such a busy and tiring lifestyle, we tend to ignore our health and other priorities of life. Sex or sexual desire is something that takes a back seat when we get too much engrossed in other acts and tend to ignore personal relationships. The urge for physical satisfaction, the deep feeling of sex, the nude looks, and the naughty moments on bed drain down the mental system. Before you blame your counterpart or freak out at each other for lack of sex, click the pause button and think of reasons that can be the biggest enemies to your sex drive. Some of those are mentioned below:
1. Binge drinking: One pint of beer or a glass of red wine is fine to with a dinner platter. But, consuming several glasses of wine, whisky, or beer affect the libido and gradually kills sex drive. Couple of drinks dehydrates the body, slows down orgasm, and offers less scope for lubrication. Alcohol is also considered to be a depressant that slows down responses and brain functioning during sex.
2. Inadequate exercise: Regular exercise is the mantra to good health, which also includes great sex. Sitting steadily at work throughout the day often makes you lazy on bed too. Sitting hinders blood flow to the private parts like it does to other parts of the body. So, exercise regularly and go for a walk to boost your libido and enhance your sex drive.
3. Lack of sleep: Hectic routines often make it difficult to fall asleep. Inadequate sleep or insomnia increases the production of stress hormone called cortisol, which in turn lowers testosterone level in the male body. Women with inadequate sleep often find it difficult to engage in sexual acts and attaining orgasm. So, if you and your partner are not indulging in sex like the earlier times, then consider inappropriate sleep to be one of the reasons.
4. Watching news before going off to bed: News programs are definitely not a light show to watch before going off to bed. Debates of politicians, crime news, news on natural calamities, fluatuating economies flood the channels most of the time. Watching such shows do not relieve your day-long stress, but rather increase it. And, stress and sex simply do not mix up. So, put aside those disturbing programs, relieve your mind from stress, and head to bed with a cheerful mood. If required take a shower for refreshment. Your sex drive will automatically hit up and your bed-scene can end in a great climax.
5. Smartphone addiction: Browsing smartphones in bed is one of the biggest reasons to kill sex drive. Browsing news sites, social media pages, or online shows before sleep create a distance between you and your partner, something that you realize when the relation already turns bitter. It does not ease off your tension, but rather make you more tired and less interested in sex. Keep the smartphone away and head to bed hands-free. Only then can you use your hands for tickling and cuddling each other. Slowly and gently, your bodies will generate heat up for a superb sex.
6. Late night dinner: What you eat and when you eat affects your libido. Late might dinner delays digestion and makes you feel heavy for a longer time. Try to have dinner by 8pm or 9pm if you want to have some great bedroom moments with your partner.
7. Overeating: Keep a check on portion sizes if you do not wish to kill your sex drive and worsen relationship. While heavy snacks in the afternoon can drain energy and make you feel lethargic for rest of the day, heavy dinner can also make you go lazy and drowsy. Some food items are definitely good for sex, but ensure that it does not make you super saturated and take a toll on your physical bonding.
Maintain a healthy life and keep things like TV programs, office works and smartphones at bay to concentrate on the sensual acts to spice up your life. Get wet and keep the fun on bed going as long as you can.
The spectrum of dating, relationships and marriage in India today is as diverse as it can possibly be. While being in a relationship of one's choice is still beyond imagination in some communities and regions, an increasing number of working professionals are now turning to technology to find fulfilling companionship. But when accepting or rejecting love seems as simple as swiping right or left, what happens to the idea of finding someone the organic way? A panel discussion on the topic, Does Technology Hurt or Help Romance? will explore the myriad facets of using technology for relationships, through four experts in the field.
Roland Mascarenhas
"With so many people migrating to cities like Mumbai for career prospects, they are seeking the help of technology to beat their loneliness," says Roland Mascarenhas of Global Shapers Community (GSC), an initiative of the World Economic Forum, which has organised the discussion. "The hook-up culture in Indian metros is unique. Given the long working hours and traffic conditions, a social life on weekdays is ruled out for many. And on weekends, people prefer to live in their own bubble of close friends. But what transpires in the world of app-based dating has an underlying human dynamic that no one usually talks about," he adds.
Naina Hiranandani
While Gourav Rakshit, CEO, Shaadi.com, will share his perspective on the relevance of matrimonial websites in the age of Tinder and Hinge, Chhavi Sachdev, creator of LSDCast, a podcast that explores love, sex and dating, will bring a media-focussed understanding of the topic. Naina Hiranandani, executive vice president of Sirf Coffee, a bespoke dating service for professionals, will discuss why finding meaningful relationships cannot be about algorithms. "Technology works best with a lot of human effort involved. We — and many modern, truly global, working Indians — believe that deep conversations cannot be had with a stranger on an app," says Hiranandani. She goes on to talk about the phenomenon of ghosting, where if someone doesn't like a person they have gone on a date with after interacting online, they simply block the person instead of ending things on a dignified note. "Thanks to ghosting, the element of closure is gone," she adds.
Simran Mangharam
Simran Mangharam, co-founder of Floh, a service that organises engaging events for like-minded singles, too, believes that the job of technology must be that of an enabler. "Finding fulfilling relationships has to be a hybrid of online and offline, where technology should facilitate the post-meeting communication instead of the other way round, where there is often a lot of disappointment in store," she shares.
Apart from the new-age matchmaking, the panel discussion will also touch upon how men and women face unique problems with technology, and if there is a need for a clear manual for the language used in such communication.
Attention women! It's time for you to make friends in your office as a study has found that strong friendships among women co-workers, especially in male dominated organisations, are less likely to experience conflicts.
Researchers from the Institute For Operations Research And The Management Sciences suggested that when employers foster an office environment that supports positive, social relationships between women coworkers, especially in primarily male dominated organisations, then they are less likely to experience conflict among women employees.
Study author Jenifer Merluzzi from George Washington University conducted the study. The team surveyed 145 management-level employees regarding workplace dynamics at two large U.S. firms that were primarily male-dominated environments, with women representing less than one-third of the workforce.
They found that while men and women are equally likely to cite having a difficult co-worker, compared to men, women are more likely to cite another woman as a difficult co-worker than they are to cite a man, or not cite anyone. However, this tendency is reduced among women who cite having more women coworkers for social support and friendship at work.
Knowing that unique gendered network characteristics such as the gender compositions of an employee's social support at work were associated with negative ties can help organisational leaders anticipate potential trouble spots within their firms where gendered conflict may erupt.
"Understanding the relational side of conflict also bears practical importance as companies increasingly organise using diverse teams, heightening the reliance on informal ties between and within gender to get work accomplished,' Merluzzi noted. The research appears in the journal of Organization Science.
After doing her duty from morning to evening, IPS officer Shalini Singh, who is the Joint Commissioner of Police (West Zone), never returns to her home. Instead, she visits every checkpost in her area to encourage the police personnel who have been deployed on 'corona duty'.
Everyday Singh begins work by arranging food and other essential items for needy people with the help of her colleagues. She stays with the police staff -- whether men or women -- voluntarily preparing food for poor people, ensuring social distancing and spares time to encourage her female subordinates who are voluntarily preparing masks to distribute.
It has been 22-23 days since the lockdown was implemented but she never thinks of going home as she believes that people need her more than her family. "Hunger, tiredness, boredom or laziness etc., they would capture you whenever you think about these things, hence, I am totally engaged in serving people whether they are common citizens or my staff. I can take rest any time in future but this time people need me," Singh told IANS when asked how she manages.
Speaking about her routine she said, "A total of three -- Dwarka, Outer and West -- districts come under my jurisdiction and I am supposed to supervise them. Besides, on humanitarian grounds and being a senior, I have other responsibilities as well. Hence, I try to reach each and every one of my staff."
When asked how the women police personnel in her area prepare face masks for 10-12 hours on a war-footing besides performing their other duties, she said: "When you do anything with your own will and an intent to serve, then it never feels like a burden, and tiredness can't even touch you."
All the districts in west Delhi share a border with Haryana which increases the possibility of liquor smuggling. The Joint CP said that smugglers tried their best to bring liquor from Haryana to the national capital but the Delhi Police have foiled all their attempts. The best example of it is Haridas Nagar Police Station where the maximum cases of liquor smuggling have been filed. The smugglers believe that no one would check during the lockdown but the police are always one step ahead of criminals.
"For instance, a man tried to smuggle the liquor in LPG cylinder by cutting it from the bottom but the police caught him. In many incidents, the criminals tried to run over the police personnel in an attempt to flee but nothing worked before us. Still, liquor smuggling is a big problem for Delhi Police," Singh concluded.
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Picking the right kind of footwear for your trip is important but what is more important is how to pack them. Wear your heavier shoes for the flight to lessen luggage weight, suggest experts.
Ishaan Sachdeva, Director at Alberto Torresi, Tabby Bhatia, Director at Voganow, and Harkirat Singh, MD at Woodland, have listed tips to make your travel lighter:
* Though slip-on shoes make everything faster at airport security, it is often recommended to wear your heaviest shoes when travelling. These account for half of luggage weight, so it's a big saver of space! It may take more time in the queue, but the sacrifice is well worth it for the saved weight and space.
* Try to find versatile shoes that will mix and match with all your outfits.
* Think outside the bag. Tie laces together and loop shoes onto the outside of your backpack, instead of packing them inside. Not only does this save room, but it lets smelly shoes breathe.
* When trying to figure out how to pack shoes for travel in a small bag, stuff smaller items and accessories into the shoes to utilise every available inch of packing space, and to prevent them from getting crushed.
If you're not stuffing, pack pairs of shoes tightly together, soles out, with the heels at opposite ends.
* Determine what activities you will do on your trip so you pack the appropriate footwear for the climate.
* Limit your colours to brown and black, as they go with anything. Besides, dark colours help hide scuffs and stains. If you pack a matching belt, you'll always be in practical style.
* Put the pair of shoes in a large plastic bag. Not only will this save you from digging through your luggage for a lost shoe but it will also help to keep your luggage odour-free.
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